The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on Tuesday unveiled its new solid-fuel rocket Epsilon before its launch with a scientific satellite next week.

Epsilon, a three-stage rocket with 24.4 meter in length, 2.6 meters in diameter and 91 ton in weight, is to be launched from the state-run agency's Uchinoura Space Center in southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima.

The rocket is a successor of the M-5 rocket that was retired in 2006 and is planned to carry a telescope named SPRINT-A, world's first space telescope for remote observation of planets.

The agency originally scheduled to launch the rocket Thursday but postponed until next Tuesday due to wrong wiring in communication equipment.

Yup - the JAXA HTV is very similar to Europes ATV, both flying ISS resupply missions. They launch commercial satellites and have a manned program that has unfortunatel been backburnered foe budget reasons. JAXA astronauts have also flown to ISS.

HTV (10 x 4.4 meters, 10,500 kg)

H-IIB launcher (57 metrrs tall, 19,000 kg to LEO, similar to a large version of Atlas V)